MU defensive end had a night of big numbers against Bowling Green

HUNTINGTON -- This question officially can be shelved.

Has Albert McClellan returned to form?

Evidenced by Saturday night's performance against Bowling Green, there's zero doubt. Marshall University football's defensive end totaled 15 tackles, including three for loss and two sacks in a 17-10 victory. The senior team captain more than resembled his 2006 play, when he earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors.

McClellan also forced a fumble, recovered by fellow end Vinny Curry, an emerging junior who has no problem deferring headlines to his teammate.

"I don't mind," Curry said. "It's just like the Justice League. He can be Superman and I can be Batman. He's just a great guy. He's a mentor.

"Once I got the sack, I knew he was going to get one. And he got one, and then he got another one and then he got the forced fumble.

"I'm just so proud of him, getting his swagger back. He's practiced so hard."

It's an interesting dynamic between McClellan and Curry. Each has to be prodded to opine on his own play; asked about the other, and they speak at length.

Throughout preseason camp, McClellan, Curry and the defensive line excelled. Through two games, the unit admittedly didn't deliver, a trend that halted with limiting the Falcons to 10 points and sacking quarterback Tyler Sheehan six times.

"I felt a little winded, but it was a good game," McClellan said in typical self-deprecating speak. "We had a good unit, working together as a whole unit."

He agreed that for the first time through three games, he and Curry operated as a disruptive duo. Such a performance was needed after allowing 444 rushing yards last week at Virginia Tech

"Yeah, that's what it was," McClellan said. "Like I've said, hard work pays off. This past week, the defensive line had a chip on our shoulders, thinking it was our fault we got 400-plus yards rushing yards, so we had a chip on our shoulders."

Curry echoed his teammate, saying defensive players were spurred following the previous week's lack of performance. Marshall allowed 605 yards in a 52-10 loss in Blacksburg, Va.

"We had a point to prove, all of us as a defense," Curry said. "We had to play faster. Against Virginia Tech, that wasn't us. That really wasn't us, but you can't do rewinds.

"The next game is just as important as the last one. It's like the reverend (team chaplain Steve Harvey) said (Friday) night, 'Just go out and have fun. Just act like you're in you're back yard having fun.'

"They're a great team. We just had fun tonight. Tonight, this reminded me of how we practice. We practice fast.

"I'm really proud of everybody and it's great to have Albert get his swagger back. I'm glad he put on the show he did tonight."

McClellan's performance especially impressed because of persistent pressure on pass rushers. Sheehan attempted 62 passes, completing 43, making for a long evening.

"Going against 300-pound guys, trying to go around them, it's pretty tough, especially 60-some (passing) plays," McClellan said. "That's tough. That's real tough."

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